The 7th annual pageant will take place at the Malibu Golf Club, with host Kristina Guerrero and celebrity judges including Brandi Glanville of “Real Housewives” and that Old Spice Guy, Isaiah Mustafa.
By Michael Aushenker / Special to The Malibu Times
The air will be spicy during the 7th Annual Miss Malibu Pageant Sunday at the Malibu Golf Club with Isaiah Mustafa, who portrays the Old Spice Guy on a series of commercials, slated as one of the celebrity judges.
The pageant’s contestants, between the ages of 14 and 26 years old, will vie for the coveted title of Miss Malibu and Miss Malibu Teen. In all, there will be 15 Teen contestants (ages 14-18) and 31 Miss contestants (ages 19-26) participating for the Miss Malibu and Miss Malibu Teen 2012 crowns.
Last year’s winner, Miss Malibu 2011 Erin White, will be in attendance to pass the crown to her successor. Hosting this year’s festivities will be “E! News” correspondent Kristina Guerrero and Malibu Realtor Madison Hildebrand of “Million Dollar Listing.”
As always, the pageant’s goal is to empower young women and promote charitable responsibility, and civic and community service.
“Miss Malibu is a way for young women to gain confidence, self-esteem, pursue their dreams, make friends and become role models for girls in this community,” said pageant founder and organizer Kristen Bradford. “Philanthropy is a huge part of our organization and Miss Malibu attends various community activities to support those in need.”
Contestants will compete in three categories: Swimwear, Evening Gown and Interview. Ultimately, the title holders of Miss Malibu and Miss Malibu Teen will go on to compete for the title of Miss California USA and California Teen USA in Palm Springs in January.
Eleven judges will select Malibu’s new queens. They include: Mustafa, “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Brandi Glanville; Aubrey O’Day of “All About Aubrey;” Galen Gerring of “Days of Our Lives;” Peter Pheng-Young of INTA Gems & Diamonds; Annie Roberts, a casting director at E!; Marnie Saitta, casting director for “Days of Our Lives;” Shelley Farriello, associate publisher of OK! magazine, Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, Malibu city councilmember; and Elizabeth Rovsek of Sun Kitten Swimwear. The pageant will feature special performances by Aubrey O’Day and LA Dollhouse.
Also among the judges is Laura Tate, associate publisher and editor of The Malibu Times and Malibu Times Magazine, one of the sponsors of the pageant. Bradford had worked with Tate on Miss Malibu stories over the years, including one for a magazine cover story. Bradford asked Tate to judge based on their longtime acquaintance and Tate’s more than 20-year background in modeling and acting. This will be Tate’s first time as a Miss Malibu judge.
“I believe it is it a wonderful opportunity for the young women involved-exposing them to a venue where they can learn public appearance/speaking skills, an opportunity to network and set goals,” Tate said of her reason for participating.
“We have a diverse group of people from the entertainment industry as well as local community leaders,” Bradford said. “It continues to grow and become better each year. We work very hard to make sure that every girl that participates has an amazing experience. We work with them on poise, self confidence, stage presence and interviewing skills.”
In addition to entering the Miss California contest, a win will also assure that the new Miss Malibu will have a packed social calendar. Among the many social events the participants have engaged in were the Miss Malibu Beach Blanket Bingo and Miss Malibu Car Wash that raised money for the pageant’s local charity partner, the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Teen Center.
For the organizer of this annual event, the winner of the Miss Malibu competition will embody the city of Malibu.
“The spirit of Malibu is a tight-knit community that supports each other and strives to accomplish their goals,” Bradford said. “It is a beautiful, laid-back beach community. Miss Malibu celebrates the beauty of Malibu and the ambitious and compassionate young women that want to represent it with pride.”
As a judge of the contest, Tate said she would be looking for “character, personality, and beauty-not just without, but also within.”
Plus, she added, there is another ingredient that she will be looking for, something spicy: “I’m really looking forward to meeting the Old Spice Guy!”
The pageant will take place at the Malibu Golf Club on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
A preshow cocktail reception at the brand new Malibu and Vine Wine Bar & Restaurant will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. featuring the Malibu Boys & Girls Glee Club and local singer, “American Idol” semi-finalist Hannah Mulholland. The after party will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location, where guests will have the option to choose from the buffet in the wine bar or a prefixed restaurant menu. Reservations are required.
Tickets are $35 general admission and $50 VIP and are available for purchase online at www.missmalibu.com. After party dinner options cost extra.